Ensure all staff are aware of the GM 10 tips for talking.pdf - a set of evidence-based key messages for families and early years practitioners which promote interaction between young children and their families, from birth to age 5, to support early years development.
Adults give babies and children their whole attention when interacting with them, getting down to their level.
When interacting with babies, adults copy the sounds the babies make back to them, to develop a two way flow as if in conversation.
Adults attach meaning to babies and children’s vocalisations, through watching their actions and saying out loud what they might be thinking ‘Oh you’re sad, I wonder if you’re hungry?’
Adults copy the facial expressions babies make during interactions. Adults exaggerate their own facial expressions and change the pitch and tone of their voice to capture the baby’s interest.
Adults keep their spoken language simple and comment on their own, as well as, the children’s play (running commentary), reducing the number of questions.
Adults give the babies and children time to process language and then respond (e.g. Pineapple Pause - pause for the time it takes to say ‘pineapple’ three times). Babies especially need extra time to process. Adults encourage use of gesture (e.g. pointing) and, if/when appropriate, encourage use of accompanying language by modelling using objects, e.g. ‘Which one, ball or box?’ and saying back the correct language.
Adults model language and extend children’s phrases by one word at a time. When using language extensions, instead of adding colour/size try to model use of verbs too (e.g. “push the car” …”the car’s stopped”).
If a child mispronounces a word, adults model a correct form of the word rather than directly correcting, (e.g. If the child says ‘tar’ say, ‘Yes, that is a star.’)
Adults support the development of sharing and turn-taking in small groups and on an individual basis as needed.
Children are supported to contribute during group activities (e.g. give clear routines for showing who’s turn it is during group work such as a using a ‘talking object’; children are prepared in advance by practising or being introduced to key vocabulary before being expected to use it in a group situation).
Activity ideas and resources
Toddler Speech Therapy Resources is an activity pack to promote communication development of toddlers from 18 months to 3 years old. Chatting With Children
promotes communication development of children from 3 to 5 years old.
Share ideas and tips with parents to encourage talking at home e.g. through encouraging the use of websites (such as Hungry Little Minds) or displays/ handouts.
Colourful Stories (ELKLAN) is a visual support strategy which helps children to learn about the structure of stories and become more confident about telling and eventually writing stories.